The Enlightenment:
Hobbes & Locke
What is the major difference
between Hobbes & Locke?
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There were many “dark times” in world history prior to the
Enlightenment
Crusades & Church Abuses
Absolute Monarchs
Atlantic Slave Trade
Conquest of Mexico
In the 1600s people’s thinking began to change. This is known as
the Enlightenment
The Enlightenment emphasized reason, thought, and the power of
individuals to solve problems
Thomas Hobbes
 1588-1679, born in England
 Believed in a Social Contract between
people & ruler
 Wrote Leviathan (1651)
 Hobbes concluded that religion & divine right were the cause of wars
and that people were naturally selfish and wicked
 Hobbes felt people need a secular government with a strong ruler
whose authority comes from the people, not divine right
 Hobbes’ Social Contract states people will exchange some of their
rights to receive protection from the ruler
 Question: Do you agree or disagree with this theory? What
other philosopher argued along these same lines?
John Locke
 1632-1704, born in England
 Believed in Natural Rights
 Wrote Two Treatises of Government
 Influences: US Declaration of Independence
& American Revolution
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Locke criticized absolutism & promoted self-government
According to Locke, all people are born free & equal and
have three natural rights: life, liberty, and property
The purpose of government is to protect these rights
Locke argues that if a government fails to do this, then the
people should overthrow the government
This idea influenced Thomas Jefferson & American colonists
and other countries who would revolt against their govts
Question: Do you agree with John Locke’s theory?
Why?
Classwork/Homework:
Please complete section “C” of your homework on the back of
the worksheet